Musicman20

Ive got better as a player, and Ive found 'my' sound I think, but gigs and bands have been rubbish this year. Its actually made me want to quit bands for another year and just practice at home to my iPod. Current band is fun, and decent lads, but taking FAR too long compared to what im used to. They are also now discussing a cheaper/dirtier practice room which Im not happy about, as Im a snob. It also has a poor PA, no heating whatsoever, and its just plain manky. Im not a student anymore and I cant be bothered with £2ks worth of gear in a s*** room. Sorry, rant over!

[quote name='Mr. Foxen' post='1020907' date='Nov 12 2010, 02:04 AM']Halford's rattlecan black. Doom as fvck.[/quote] LOL!

I think the quality control issue is probably as they arent made in the usual UK Orange factory. Not that thats a major issue, just means they can produce more, quickly, and cheaper. The BT500 is one hell of a steal for the price IMO. My Dual Terror (Guitar) had a bad tube which I never found until I started testing it at full 30W level. I'd had it quite a while (9 months perhaps?) and Orange were very helpful in sorting it out. If its new, just get it swapped. If its in warranty, get Orange UK to sort you out.

Id try as much as you can. I spent a long time trying 5 strings, and came back to Stingray 5s. Tried/tested formula of 17.5mm spacing, awesome tight B, and great style/sound. Darren at the Bass Merchant in Colchester has helped me with a lot of 'tests' of various basses. If you can visit there, you will have a very relaxed and fun day! Im lucky in a way that I can go round Newcastle trying basses out if I fancy it, but ultimately I usually buy through the Bass Merchant as they are patient and friendly.

I think from what I can gather about your tone goals, the SP212, but If you want a BIG full sound, the OBC115 is fantastic. Plenty of clarity, superb low end, and reviewed well. My favourite 115 by far.

Nice, is it 30W? Good for studios and practice, but I couldn't use it in my current band

The TC cabs have a 'sweet' high end. Nothing harsh or ganky...I hate piercing highs so the TC cabs work well for me. Tight but full lows, punchy mids, lovely sweet high end. I fiddled with my rs212 HF this evening, and even with the HF control at full whack, it wasn't that horrible cheap ganky high end sound. The Markbass cabs are very well made, light, great spec, and quite middy in nature.

Id definitely say the tone from the TC cabs is more pleasing, and more what id expect from a cabinet. Still lightish and a good price. The Markbass cabs are very expensive IMO, but the NY122 is a nice cabinet. Im not totally sold on the sound.

Good thing with the DB212 is it's one load in, comes with casters, and the amp head fits on it nicely. Plus it's cheaper than 2 x 112. How you liking the amp?

Aguilar DB212, or the Orange cabinets. Id love a Berg NV412, but I just cant justify a MASSIVE cabinet like that.

I thought Orange corrected the DI issue on the latest batches?

Both veritical and horizontal...I like them both. Cant beat a quality high end 4x10 for some gigs. IMO and IME.

Ive definitely noticed some items (very rarely) being sold for more than they were bought for, even ones that were bought from a shop then sold for £100 or more 2 weeks later, without realising that the basschat masses remember when the said seller raved on about the purchase. No probs if its had a setup or upgrades, esp if it was second hand anyway, but the rest makes me think that some members are making a tidy profit and almost half a living off it. This is rare though.

Personally, I prefer to buy new. Expensive? Yes. Warranty? Hell yes. Piece of mind that if you dislike it or it isnt up to scratch you can swap for another or refund? Hell yes. It costs more, but Im a perfectionist. Saying that, Ive bought a HS410 on here and Clarkys old P bass, and both were great and as described, plus I could 100% trust both sellers. I just know im too fussy for most used gear unless they user is as careful with their gear as me. The good thing is, buyers get my gear which has been selected from a bunch, (eg a decent Fender) and its been very well looked after.

[quote name='sk8' post='1020364' date='Nov 11 2010, 04:38 PM']Berg NV412 here. f***ing Awesome!!!! Easy ish to move and gives me a great old school vibe with my Hiwatt 200 Custom. Works well with my LM3 too. Think it 108lbs so not that bad to move as its got tilt back castors.[/quote] Thats the one 'big cab' I want. Part of me says 'go ahead whilst you are fairly young!'.

Berg NV412, Aguilar GS or DB412. Done.

[quote name='dave_bass5' post='1019737' date='Nov 11 2010, 09:31 AM']You cant go wrong with a P can you. Even if its not the most ideal bass it gets the job done.[/quote] The J copy I was kindly loaned sounded pretty good, but I still find my hands work smoother on a P neck. There is also something about that P bass tone that just 'fits'. Then again, I was very jealous of the Stingray tone at the end, even though I could have used mine. In the band m currently in, the bass almost acts as a bass with rhythm guitar duties on top, and then some. A Stingray would have sounded great!

Cheers chaps. In the end I had my USA P and I also was testing a kindly loaned J copy project bass from Conan, (much appreciated). I didnt have my own amp or cabs, but now I wish Id at least just taken my LM3.

I fell for marketing a few times, eg that Ampeg is the best brand for every player. Im not saying it isnt great gear, but I wouldnt buy any of their new gear unless it was the Heritage series. The 8x10? Not really all that unless you drive it with a massive amount of volume. Certain brands do bring an amount of hype with it, and this will soon be moved on I guess. Are these boutique cabinets any better than a old school 4x10 + 1x15 stack? Who knows...the science that comes along with it may say it is, but your ears might not. Since around May 2009, Ive decided to try all amps/cabs before buying, and thats what worked for me with the TC gear. I dont know who thinks there isnt headroom in the amps, but you must be playing stadiums. Its probably the loudest 'small/light' amp Ive heard, although Ive not tested the Markbass SD1200. Again, with my Orange stack, id moved on from thinking of getting an Ampeg, and A/Bing a SVT-CL and AD200b Mk3 in the store made the decision so much easier. The Orange won out, obviously.